Charms by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the idea that a person's charm can be both captivating and deceiving. It describes how someone with charm can effortlessly win people over, but may also use this charm to manipulate others for their own gain. The speaker suggests that true beauty lies not in external appearances or superficial qualities, but rather in inner character and integrity.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Folklore, Humor · 327 words
First lines
I. FOR CORNS AND THINGS.
Prune your corn in the gray of the morn With a blade that's shaved the dead, And barefoot go and hide it so The rain will rust it red: Dip your foot in the dew and put A print of it on the floor, And stew the fat of a brindle cat, And say this o'er and o'er: - Corny! morny! blady! dead! Gory! sory! rusty! red! Footsy! putsy! floory! stew! Fatsy! catsy! Mew! Mew! Come grease my corn In the gray of the morn! Mew! Mew! Mew!
What this Textopian page supports
Charms is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Folklore, Humor, Fantasy, Cultural
- Length: 327 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Charms by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is composed in verse form with a focus on rhythm and rhyme.
- Folklore — The text includes traditional remedies and superstitions, typical of folklore.
- Humor — The playful language and absurdity of the remedies suggest a humorous intent.
- Fantasy — The magical elements and incantations imply a fantastical theme.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Nursery Rhymes · Folklore · Magic Realism · Whimsy · Fantasy · Imagination · Childhood Innocence · Nature Imagery